, 1887-06-25

OISCfIot [ W068Gf0) remarked that no 8ttef&s
ton in the wording or the contents OF the
Draft could in his opinion make this peti:
ton acceptable, because he considered it as
given beforehand that the aim intended by
the petition could not possibly be attained.
It had been fully explained to the Council
by His Excellency that there was no pros.
pect whatever Of seeing sugars from THE
island admitted duty free into the United
States according to the treaty with the
United States government. As far rs he
was aware the whole question regarding
this Treaty had already years ago been
thoroughly ventilated between the proper
authorities without any result and it is not
difficult to perceive that far greater int.
rests than those of this island alone, inte.
rests of the Mother Country itself,-are
connected with the question. But If it
even was assumed that the United States
would admit our sugars duty free, it u
be expected that the same free admittance
would be conceded to sugars from the colo.
MES of other countries and in that case this
island would not have gained any better
position than at present; on the contrary
the result would be that the community
would lose the revenue from the import
duty of products from the United States,
without any compensation. He could there.
fore not recommend the adoption of this
petition. We know beforehand that there
is but one answer to the petition, namely:
"Nothing can be done with regard TO this
Treaty" and in his opinion it would not be
we'll advised, if the Council should for.
ward the petition to His Majesty under
such circumstances. 1t must be admitted,
that the times are very difficult for the chief
industry of the island, and if there was any
chance of obtaining assistance from the
Home Government, he should willingly
support any practicable step to that effect
but he could not give his vote for the pc.
tition as now proposed.
3rd Member for ~Christiansted's Country
District (Leevy) could not but express his
surprise to think that the last honorable
speaker.cOuld not see the benefit which
the community would derive from the es-
tablishment of a Reciprocity Treaty in IA.
your of st. Oroix. Again, what was
advantageous to the planters must surely
be advantageous to the whole community.
4th Member for Frederiksted's Country
District (McD0aGlG would endorse what
the last honorable speaker had said. If
even the Petition was not granted, it would
at least shew the HomeG Government what
our wishes were and open their eyes to
the deplorable state of affairs.
End Member for O~hristiansted's Town
District (Lemming) begged to agree with
the honorable 3rd Member for Christian.
sted Town District (Wassard).
After what had been said by His Excel.
lency the Governor and others, and con.
sidering all the negotiations that had pre-
viously been effected in the Treaty Cues
ton, there was not much hope left us In
applying to His Majesty the King. Sup.
posing even that the petition, contrary
to all reason and expectation, should be
granted, what would it mean to us but q
loss Of nearly 41OO, 600 per annum, q loss
that would have to be made up in some
other manner. He considered it a mere
illusion on the part of the planters, for
should we succeed ia gaining our desire,
and free admittance be granted our pro.
duce must it not be expected that the same
free admittance would be conceded to sugar
from the Colonies of other Countries, and
surely in this case, this island would not
have gained anything, but Oh the contrary
would have lost a standing import duty
for as many years as the treaty was estab-
lished. He could therefore not vote i'm
favor of the petition, but would recommend
the appointment of a committeetO consider
the matter and in fact any item connected
with the interest and welfare of the island.
The Governor would with regard to tue
Commission that, some time ago, in 1885,
had been appointed to take ito considera.
ton the necessary means for improving